US6046964A - Electronic timepiece provided with a calendar - Google Patents
Electronic timepiece provided with a calendar Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6046964A US6046964A US09/226,828 US22682899A US6046964A US 6046964 A US6046964 A US 6046964A US 22682899 A US22682899 A US 22682899A US 6046964 A US6046964 A US 6046964A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- switch
- calendar
- signal
- level
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
- G04G5/00—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
- G04C3/005—Multiple switches
Definitions
- the present invention relates to means for updating a calendar indication of a hand type timepiece capable to indicate a calendar.
- a conventional watch indicating hours often has a date indicating function as an additional function. It is the most fundamental constitution in the ordinary watch to conjoin a gear train for driving the hand which indicates the hours, so as to drive the date indicator caused by a gear operating one round in each 24 hours.
- the date indicator is driven in complete synchronization with the gear train of a hour system, the present form of the time indicator indicates a nonexistent date such as the 31st day in a shorter month having loss, than 31 days.
- a user must manually modify the date indicator by quick-feed method in each time mentioned above so as: to set to correct date.
- the numeral 101 indicates an oscillating circuit which produces a reference signal
- the numeral 102 indicates a frequency dividing circuit
- the numeral 103 is a driving circuit A
- the numeral 104 is a driving circuit B
- the numeral 105 is a motor A for driving the hands
- the numeral 106 is a motor B
- the numeral 107 is a hands driving gear train
- the numeral 108 is a date indicator driving gear train
- the numeral 109 is a 24 hours switch
- the numeral 110 is a hand
- the numeral 112 is a calendar control circuit.
- the reference signal OSC produced by the oscillating circuit 101 is divided into a desired frequency dividing signal by the frequency dividing circuit 102 so as to produce, by the driving circuit A, a driving signal DRV1 required to drive the motor A.
- the hand is driven by the driving signal DRV1 so that ordinary time indication is carried out.
- the driving circuit B, the motor 106 and the gear train 108 for driving the date indicator 111 are provided to control a driving operation of the date indicator 111, independent of the drive operation of the hand.
- the driving operation of the date indicator is performed on the basis of a signal 24SW from the 24 hour switch.
- An example of the 24 hour switch 109 comprises, as shown in FIG. 11, a 24 hour wheel 201 and a contact 202, the 24 hour wheel 201 circuits once every 24 hour and is connected to a Vdd potential which is in the state of a high (hereinafter referred to as "H") level.
- H a high
- the 24 hour wheel 201 is conjointly rotated with the hand driving gear train and close the contact 202, the potential of the contact 202 forms the "H" level and is output as the signal 24SW.
- the 24 hour switch 109 is conjoined to the hand driving gear train and outputs the signal 24SW as an ON signal every 24 hour.
- the driving circuit B 104 On receiving the signal 24SW, the driving circuit B 104 outputs the driving signal DRV2 required to advance the date indicator one day, to the motor B. As a result, the date indicator is advanced by one day during each 24 hour period.
- the calendar control circuit 112 contains data on the current day, month, and year. The date advances by one day by the signal 24SW, but the calendar control circuit 112 outputs the non-existent date removing signal DD when the day, month, and year data indicate that the displayed date is non-existent.
- the driving circuit B106 Upon receiving a signal DD, the driving circuit B106 outputs a driving signal DRV2 required to drive the date indicator by one day.
- the non-existent date removing operation of the date indicator is continued until the non-existent state of the date indicator is removed. For instance, in the case of February of a leap year, the date is advanced by two days as soon as the 30th day is indicated. Furthermore, in the case of February of other than a leap year, the date is advanced by three days as soon as the 29th day is indicated. As a result, the date indicator always indicates the correct date.
- the time lag need be corrected less frequently because the accuracy of electronic timepieces has improved.
- the date indicator be conjointly operated when a user advances or returns the time indicator.
- each signal 24 SW to be outputted becomes the sane signal in a contact construction shown in FIG. 11, regardless whether the rotative direction of the 24 hour wheel 201 is in the normal or reverse direction in the drawing.
- time modification is carried out by rotating the hand in the reverse (counterclockwise) direction, that is, the time is modified to a returning direction, and the date indicator advances by one day when the 24 hours switch 109 is turned on.
- the date indicator lags behind the calendar date.
- the present invention is characterized by an electronic analog timepiece provided with a calendar, comprising: a first motor for driving a time indicating hand; a switch conjoined with a hand driving gear train driven by the first motor, and turned on at least once in each 24 hours; and a calendar indicating member in which indicating is updated based on an ON signal of the switch; wherein the switch is provided with at least three or more contact groups, each contact is closed in each independent timing according to a rotation of the hand driving gear train, and the calendar indicating member is updated in either an advancing direction or a returning direction according to the order each contact is closed.
- the user can have a good feeling in operation, and an electronic timepiece whose time and calendar indicators consistently match is provided.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system structure of timepiece provided with a calendar according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing a 24 hour switch according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the structure of a switch control circuit according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a time chart outlining the operation of the normal rotation of the 24 hour wheel in switch control circuit of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a time chart outlining the operation of the reverse rotation of the 24 hour wheel in switch control circuit of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 6 is a structural diagram showing the reverse rotation state of the 24 hour wheel of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 7 is a structural diagram showing another 24 hour wheel
- FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a part of switch circuit; according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of switch circuit: of FIG. 8;
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system structure of a conventional timepiece having a calendar
- FIG. 11 is a structural diagram showing a conventional 24 hour switch.
- FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a part of FIG. 8.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration in a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the numeral 123 represents a driving circuit C outputting a driving pulse for driving a motor B 106 either in a normal (clockwise) or in a reverse (counterclockwise) direction according to an input signal, the numeral 121 indicates a 24 hour switch S, which is an improvement of the conventional 24 hour switch, and the numeral 122 is a switch control circuit. Components corresponding to those already described are labeled with the same numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Also, although the mechanism for modifying the hand indication is provided as a component of the present invention, its description and drawing are omitted as the present invention can be accomplished using a conventional mechanism.
- FIG. 2 shows an example 24 hour switch S, wherein the numeral 203 indicates a contact A, the numeral 204 is a contact B, and the numeral 205 is a contact C.
- the 24 hour wheel 201 is rotated in ganged operation with the hand driving gear train to close those contacts, a signal 24SW -- A, a signal 24SW -- B, a signal 24SW -- C are output respectively.
- FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an internal construction of a switch control circuit 122, wherein 221 and 222 are a SR flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as "SR-FF"), 223 and 224 are an OR circuit, and 224 and 266 are an AND circuit.
- SR-FF SR flip-flop
- FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram illustrating the 24 hour wheel 201 rotating to allow the contact A 203, the contact B 204, and the contact C 205 to be sequentially input.
- the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following with reference to the drawings.
- the hand driving gear train is operated in the same way as in the conventional example, and the hand is driven to indicate the time.
- the 24 hour wheel 201 is rotated in ganged operation with the hand driving gear train 107. First, when the 24 hour wheel 201 closes the contact A 203, the contact A 203 is connected to the potential of Vdd to allow the signal 24 SW -- A to become the "H" level.
- the 24 hour wheel 201 When the 24 hour wheel 201 is further rotated as time passes, the 24 hour wheel 201 opens the contact A 203, and then the signal 24 SW -- A becomes the "L" level. However, the Q output of the SR-FF 221 is maintained in the "H" level state.
- the driving circuit 123 When the 24 hour wheel 201 is further rotated and closes the contact B 204, the signal SW -- B becomes the "H" level. As a result, a signal DF for rotating the date indicator in a clockwise direction is output. Upon receiving the signal DF through the OR circuit 124, the driving circuit 123 outputs the driving signal required to rotate the date indicator 111 in the clockwise direction by one day, so that the indicating of the date indicator advances by one day.
- the 24 hour wheel is further rotated to close the contact C 205.
- the contact C 205 becomes the "H” level
- the SR-FF 222 is reset and, as a result, the Q output of the SR-FF 222 becomes the "L" level.
- the 24 hour wheel 201 When the 24 hour wheel 201 is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the 24 hour wheel 201 opens the contact B 204, and then the signal 24SW -- B becomes the "L" level. However, the Q output of SR-FF 222 is maintained in the state of the "H" level.
- the driving circuit 123 When the 24 hour wheel 201 is further rotated and closes the contact A 203, the signal SW -- A becomes the "H" level. As a result, the signal DB for rotating the date indicator in the counterclockwise direction is output. Upon receiving the signal DB, the driving circuit 123 outputs the driving signal required to rotate the date indicator 111 in the counterclockwise direction by one day, so that the indicating of the date indicator is returned by one day.
- a date indicator control circuit 112 Upon receiving the signal DF from a switch control circuit 122, a date indicator control circuit 112 advances internal information of the day, month, and year by one day. Conversely, upon receiving the signal DB, the date indicator control circuit 112 returns the internal information of the day, month, and year by one day. Accordingly, the date information of the date indicator control circuit 112 is maintained in the corresponding state with the indicating of the date indicator 111.
- the date indicator advances in the same way as described in the conventional example, and its description is not repeated.
- the date indicator indicates a non-existent date as a result of returning the date indicator by one day, for instance, the date indicator 111 may indicate the 31st day of April when the date indicator is returned one day from May 1.
- the driving circuit C 123 Upon receiving the signal DDB though the OR circuit 125, the driving circuit C 123 outputs the driving signal required to return the date indicator by one day.
- the hand driving gear train is caused to rotate in both normal and reverse directions, the time indication by the hand and the date indication by the date indicator are surely matched.
- the calendar member is described by using the date indicator printed with a date, and, in addition, the date indication is also indicated by the hand. Further, the indicating of the date as well as day of the week as a content of the calendar to be indicated can also be easily accomplished. Furthermore, it is also possible to include a digital display, such as a liquid crystal panel indicating an other calendar.
- the contact A 203, the contact B 204 and the contact C 205 are disposed at an equal space, respectively.
- the important factor of the input timing F is such that each timing the 24 hour wheel 201 closes the contact B 204 in the case of causing the 24 hour wheel to rotate in the normal direction and that the 24 hour wheel 201 closes the contact A 203 in the case of causing the 24 hour wheel to rotate in the reverse direction.
- the operation, of the date indicator 111 is advanced by one day, and, in the latter, the operation of the date indicator 111 is returned by one day.
- the indicating of the date indicator be advanced immediately after the time indicator has indicated 12 o'clock midnight.
- the indicating of the date indicator be returned by one day immediately after the indicator has passed 12 o'clock midnight in the reverse direction.
- the time of the hand 110 at such closing timing in the returning direction is before indication 12 o'clock midnight at the time of closing the 24 hour wheel and the contact A203.
- the location of the contract C 205 is not limited.
- the switches A 203 and B 204 should be as closely together as possible in order to avoid the time lag problems; on the other hand, we have emphasized that a large distance between the contact C 205 and the contacts A 203 and B 204 is advantageous with respect to the manufacturing.
- the device is easy to manufacture.
- the contact A 203, the contact B 204, and the contact C 205 in such a way as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to enhance accuracy, without otherwise deteriorating functionality.
- the contact A 203, the contact B 204 and the contact C 205 which are included in the 24 hour switch 121, are connected to the a Vss potential through resistance elements as shown in FIG. 2 so as to prevent the input end from becoming open, when it is not closed with the 24 hour wheel 201.
- switch current flows from Vdd to Vss through the resistance while the 24 hour wheel 201 closes each of the contacts.
- switch current can not be disregarded in light of the long operation tine.
- FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing that part of the switch circuit in the 24 hour switch S 121 shown in FIG. 2 that is improved in the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of FIG. 8.
- the numerals 301, 302, and 303 are an OR circuit respectively, the numerals 304, 305, and 306 are a NOT circuit, and the numerals 307, 308, and 309 are a NOR circuit.
- the 24 hour wheel 201 is rotated in the normal direction and closes in order of the contact A 203, the contact B 204, and the contact C 205. Further, in FIG. 9, the signals 24SW -- A, 24SW -- B, and 24SW -- CC present the level of signal shown in FIG. 8, and the signals 24SW -- AA, 24SW -- BB, and 24SW -- CC present such time that the 24 hour wheel 201 closes the contact A 203, the contact B 204, and the contact C 205, respectively.
- the signals 24SW -- A, 24SW -- B, and 24SW -- C show the "L" level.
- the level of these signals is retained by the output from the NOR circuits 307, 308, and 309.
- switch current does not flow while the 24 hour wheel 201 closes the contact A 203, the contact B 204, or the contact C 205. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced.
- FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a part of FIG. 8 with the NOR circuit 307, decomposed to the level of a transistor.
- 3071 and 3072 indicate a P-channel MOS transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as P-Tr)
- 3073 and 3074 indicate an N-channel MOS transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as N-Tr).
- P-Tr P-channel MOS transistor
- N-Tr N-channel MOS transistor
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- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP10002819A JPH11202060A (en) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-01-09 | Electronic watch with calendar |
JP10-002819 | 1998-01-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6046964A true US6046964A (en) | 2000-04-04 |
Family
ID=11540031
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/226,828 Expired - Lifetime US6046964A (en) | 1998-01-09 | 1999-01-07 | Electronic timepiece provided with a calendar |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6046964A (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11202060A (en) |
DE (1) | DE19900301B4 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6477114B1 (en) * | 1997-12-26 | 2002-11-05 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Electronic timepiece with calendar device |
EP1341063A2 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-09-03 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Electronic timepiece with a date display function |
US20060109747A1 (en) * | 2004-11-25 | 2006-05-25 | Tomohiro Ihashi | Electronic timepiece |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3400427B2 (en) | 2000-11-28 | 2003-04-28 | 株式会社東芝 | Electronic component unit and printed wiring board device mounted with electronic component unit |
EP1498788A1 (en) * | 2003-07-14 | 2005-01-19 | Eterna SA | Display device for timepiece |
JP4673077B2 (en) * | 2005-02-03 | 2011-04-20 | セイコーインスツル株式会社 | Contact spring structure and contact device and electronic timepiece having the same |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4261046A (en) * | 1978-02-23 | 1981-04-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha | Timepiece |
US4266289A (en) * | 1977-11-30 | 1981-05-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha | Calendar correcting mechanism |
US4282592A (en) * | 1978-03-30 | 1981-08-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha | Indicating member advancing mechanism |
US4320476A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1982-03-16 | Jean-Claude Berney Sa | Electronic watch with a device for controlling and driving the day of the month |
US4733384A (en) * | 1986-05-26 | 1988-03-22 | Eta S.A. Fabriques D'ebauches | Perpetual calendar watch having two motors |
US5668781A (en) * | 1995-03-28 | 1997-09-16 | Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches | Analog electronic timepiece having a multifunctional calendar disc |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6013153B2 (en) * | 1976-12-03 | 1985-04-05 | シチズン時計株式会社 | Electronic clock with calendar |
US4312056A (en) * | 1979-01-17 | 1982-01-19 | Citizen Watch Company Limited | Composite display type electronic timepiece |
US4459031A (en) * | 1980-10-14 | 1984-07-10 | Eta A.G. Ebauches-Fabrik | Electronic timepiece |
-
1998
- 1998-01-09 JP JP10002819A patent/JPH11202060A/en active Pending
-
1999
- 1999-01-07 DE DE19900301A patent/DE19900301B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-01-07 US US09/226,828 patent/US6046964A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4266289A (en) * | 1977-11-30 | 1981-05-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha | Calendar correcting mechanism |
US4261046A (en) * | 1978-02-23 | 1981-04-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha | Timepiece |
US4282592A (en) * | 1978-03-30 | 1981-08-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha | Indicating member advancing mechanism |
US4320476A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1982-03-16 | Jean-Claude Berney Sa | Electronic watch with a device for controlling and driving the day of the month |
US4733384A (en) * | 1986-05-26 | 1988-03-22 | Eta S.A. Fabriques D'ebauches | Perpetual calendar watch having two motors |
US5668781A (en) * | 1995-03-28 | 1997-09-16 | Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches | Analog electronic timepiece having a multifunctional calendar disc |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6477114B1 (en) * | 1997-12-26 | 2002-11-05 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Electronic timepiece with calendar device |
EP1341063A2 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-09-03 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Electronic timepiece with a date display function |
US20030198139A1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-10-23 | Joji Kitahara | Electronic timepiece with a date display function |
EP1341063A3 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2004-07-14 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Electronic timepiece with a date display function |
US7027360B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2006-04-11 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Electronic timepiece with a date display function |
US20060109747A1 (en) * | 2004-11-25 | 2006-05-25 | Tomohiro Ihashi | Electronic timepiece |
US7110325B2 (en) * | 2004-11-25 | 2006-09-19 | Seiko Instruments Inc. | Electronic timepiece |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE19900301B4 (en) | 2010-06-17 |
DE19900301A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
JPH11202060A (en) | 1999-07-30 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HIGUCHI, HARUHIKO;KOIKE, HIROYUKI;REEL/FRAME:009698/0987 Effective date: 19990104 |
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Owner name: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KITANI, MASASHI;SHIMAMURA, YOSHINORI;KAJIWARA, KENJI;REEL/FRAME:009967/0873;SIGNING DATES FROM 19990402 TO 19990412 |
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Owner name: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:041479/0804 Effective date: 20161005 |